All has been quiet and peaceful in the small town of Jeffersonville, GA, for the past several years. The most recent church circle gossip being one of the church members wearing pants and a new preacher whose sermons are unbearably boring. Suddenly, the town is plagued with multiple robberies and even a murder (oh my heavens!), which the incompetent sheriff is in no hurry to resolve. By way of nosiness and perseverance, Mrs. Bee Martin finds herself as the detective in the middle of the town mystery alongside her sister, Bess.
In her debut novel, Bee’s Business, Ann Cobb travels through time to write about a place when life was slow, simple, and routine. This is a book that I didn’t want to end because of the fun characters dialogue, and my enjoyment of the world Cobb created. Although I am likely biased because the author is my grandmother whom I have looked up to all my life, I believe she created an entertaining story with vivid and descriptive writing. This light-hearted read would be a perfect book to read beside a pool or after a long day’s work.
Told from the first-person perspective of Mrs. Bee Martin, a simple, recently widowed older woman who has lived on her farm for her entire life, this novel is full of characters that are relatable and enjoyable. Bee’s inner dialogue, filled with Southern idioms and funny reactions, portrays the real joys and concerns of being a rural housewife during the 1940s in a humorous and realistic way. Bee’s sister Bess, a woman who is always dressed to the nines with a house always prepared with ironed curtains and cold iced tea for hosting, has recently begun a new relationship with a fellow across the county line, much to the disdain of Bee. The rest of Bee’s family includes her daughter, Margaret, a teacher in the neighboring county, and Vonion and Ora Lee, a black couple who have lived on the farm for all of Bee’s life. Preacher Henry’s sister Isabelle recently became a boarder at Bee’s home, sleeps until noon every day, and refuses to eat fried Southern cooking. Alongside Bee’s fellow church members and friends, these characters make up the lively cast of the novel.
This novel had me hooked from the very beginning. Unlike thriller or typical twisty crime novels usually do, the simplistic and refreshing nature of the characters drew me into their lives. Through describing the daily activities of Bee and her interactions without giving too much boring detail, the novel took me back in time and wrapped me up in the gossip and speculation of the town. The mystery that drives the novel adds an element of curiosity without deterring the likely audience with too much blood and horror.
Another reason I love this book is the visibility it gives to rural women and their lives. Through both Bee’s narration and her conversations with friends, it read differently than many stories written during this time. As soooo many mid-century books are centered around men and their internal thoughts, these plots typically highlight horrible moral compasses and twisted psyches (ahem Faulkner) usually resulting in the objectification of women. My one major critique is that the book could have dedicated more time to the end of the story, including the ‘action’ scene and plot resolution. Besides this aspect, I think it’s a lively and captivating read, setting-up well for the series that follows.
I would give this book a solid 3 stars. Although I personally loved it, I don’t think it’s earth-shattering.. Still, it could very well be the perfect brain candy if you enjoy Southern historical fiction alongside fun characters and a non-graphic mystery.
Rating: 3 of 5 stars